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Pet Focus

Pet Winter Survival Tips

As temperatures begin to drop, thoughts turn from warm weather concerns to winter preparation. Cold weather and the holidays can pose serious threats for pets. Whether staying home or traveling, winter can be an enjoyable time for everyone, and planning for your pet allows the season to be safe and enjoyable for the whole family, including the four-legged members.

Have Your "Winterized" Your Pet?

Like summer, winter weather presents a challenge for pets that typically spend time outdoors. Also just like in the summer, if it is too cold to be outdoors, quite possibly it is too cold for you pet to be as well. While some breeds of dogs, can withstand colder temperatures, it is still important to be conscience of the weather and respond accordingly.

• Provide Plenty of Fresh Water–Your pet is just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer. Snow is not a satisfactory substitute for water and in the state of Minnesota it is illegal to provide snow or ice as a pet's primary water source. Pet stores sell heated water bowls to accommodate pets that live outdoors.
• Provide Plenty of Food–Feed your pet additional calories if it spends a lot of time outdoors or is a working animal. It takes more energy in the winter to keep body temperature regulated, so additional calories are necessary. Consult your veterinarian if you think your pet needs additional food. They will be able to advise you on the best program for your pet.
• Keep Their Paws Dry–Minnesota winters are full of snow, ice and road salt. Contact with these elements can cause foot pads to become chapped and cracked. Snow and ice can also build up between their foot pads causing problems. Rinse your pet's feet and dry them completely after being outside.
• Provide Regular Grooming–An animal's coat is essential to keep them properly insulated. Matted fur can develop in the winter and can cause skin problems as well as become a magnet for attracting additional snow and ice. Towel or blow-dry your pet if it gets wet from rain or snow.
• Keep Your Pet Warm and Dry–Adequate shelter is a necessity. If your pet lives indoors, tiled and uncarpeted areas may become extremely cold. Provide blankets and bedding in these areas to keep them warm. For outdoor pets, the state of Minnesota has minimum housing requirements. Look below for links to the state laws. Protecting your pet against the elements is not only humane, it is the law. The communities in the City of Mankato are committed to protecting the neighborhood's pets and are diligent in contacting the Department of Public Safety when concerns arise. It is important to protect the pets that live outdoors for that reason as well.

Watch Out For Winter Hazards

• Cold–Avoid leaving your pet outside for long periods of time. Wind chill affect animals too and their ears, tails, and feet are susceptible to frostbite. If they must be outdoors, adequate shelter (that meets state requirements) must be provided. Smaller animals will feel the cold faster since they have to "wade" through snow, versus bigger animals. Pets with shorter coats will be more vulnerable to the weather as well. Pet stores sell coats and boots for animals to help protect them against the elements. Elderly, young and animals with some medical conditions should be watched more carefully outdoors as well since they are not able to regulate their body heat as well as healthy adult animals.
• Ice and Snow–If you live near a pond or lake, be extra careful when walking or playing. Pets, primarily dogs, could slip or jump in a frozen lake, river, or pond and get seriously injured. Animals can fall though the ice and not be able to escape as well. Snow can muffle scents and sounds which make it easier for your pet to be lost. Stay with your pet outside and make sure it is wearing identification in case it does get away.
• Antifreeze–It smells and tastes good to your pet. Antifreeze is highly poisonous and can be lethal. Make sure to clean up spills in your garage or driveway. Prevent your pet from drinking from puddles in the winter as they can contain antifreeze as well.
• Candles–Candles and pets do not mix. It is very important that candles are never left burning unattended and accessible to animals. Whether it is the winter or not, be sure to keep candles away from the areas pets visit. The flicker of the flame can be too much to resist and pets can accidentally tip candles over or worse catch on fire. In addition to this devastating scenario, an animal on fire can cause an entire house to catch fire. The City of Mankato's Fire Department has additional information to prevent fires during the winter season.

Traveling and the Law

It is important to be aware of city ordinances and state statutes when traveling. Most cities have animal laws that affect you even if you are not a local resident. Make sure to be aware of the ordinances and state statutes for any travel destinations to ensure it is hassle-free.

Here are some links for more information:

Minnesota Statutes regarding animal regulations including information on pets in motor vehicles and minimum care requirements.

Minnesota Statutes regarding requirements for outdoor kennels.

Minnesota Statutes regarding other miscellaneous information, including statutes on city licensing and animals running at large.

Mankato animal codes.